Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials are grappling with how to find new revenue streams amid budget cuts and millions of dollars worth of deferred maintenance stacking up at its dams and fisheries just in time for thousands of orange- and camouflage-clad hunters prepare to head to the woods next weekend for the start of big-game rifle season.

During a series of 18 “Funding the Future” meetings across the state this summer, wildlife managers explained the dire situation of a Colorado Wildlife budget that’s been slashed by $40 million since 2009 and yet still faces a budget shortfall of $15 million to $20 million by 2023.

Without a fee increase for in-state hunting and fishing licenses, CPW would lose access to thousands of acres it leases for hunting and fishing and wildlife conservation efforts would be compromised, wildlife managers say. How much of a fee increase Colorado hunters and anglers could see will be up to lawmakers next year, and though Fort Collins sportsmen have been supportive of an increase, they worry a steep hike could price out some hunters and turn off an already tuned-out younger generation that’s not interested in hunting.

“I understand the budgetary needs, but certainly hunter recruitment and retention should be an extremely high priority,” said Steve Hilde of Loveland, who is worried the sporting traditions passed down from generations may be in danger as fewer younger people take up hunting and fishing.

The number of licensed hunters in Colorado (281,201) last year was 23 percent fewer than the 1998 high of 362,927.

Compounding the issue, Colorado’s hunting base is aging — average age of 55, according to CPW — with fewer younger hunters waiting in the wings. The National Shooting Sports Foundation says for every 100 Colorado hunters today, only 70 are expected to take their place in the next generation.

“We need to do a better job in general of getting kids outside and keep them away from the Xbox and sitting on their iPads all day,” said Hilde, who is a member of the three-person CPW sportsmen’s round table representing Northeast Colorado.

Joining him on the round table is 26-year-old Ryan Urie of Windsor who said hunting’s biggest obstacle to attracting a younger audience is overcoming a culture that views hunting as an archaic, violent form of recreation.

“It’s got to come with some kind of societal acceptance,” said Urie, a Colorado State University graduate. “It’s socially acceptable to sit on the couch all night drinking Mountain Dew and shooting each other up playing ‘Call of Duty,’ but it isn’t socially acceptable to get up at 4 in the morning to hike in the woods to match wits with an animal and put food on the table. I’m not 100 percent sure how to change that.”

Raising license prices just adds another barrier to attracting youngsters to hunting and fishing, said Urie, who supports an incremental fee increase, but not immediately tying license fees to the consumer price index, which would raise the elk tag price to $88 — nearly doubling today’s $49 price for Colorado residents.

Hunters’ licenses and fees — including a required $10 Habitat Stamp — help the agency manage the state’s elks and deer populations. The animals, without an abundance of natural predators such as wolves or bears, become too abundant and susceptible to ailments such as chronic wasting disease, said CPW Wildlife Manager Ty Petersburg.

What frustrates many sportsmen about a potential hike in license fees is the fear they’ll have to shoulder an even greater load in funding Colorado’s wildlife management efforts, while other recreators, such as bird watchers and wildlife photographers, enjoy the animals without pitching in a nickel for a Habitat Stamp.

“That just rubs me wrong,” said Bill Tourte, who moved to Wellington from California five years ago.

Petersburg, at the “Funding the Future” meeting in Fort Collins in August, said enforcing new fees and passes for other recreators such as hikers and mountain bikers could prove too tough of a logistical task for CPW and Forest Service staff, however, the agency is taking any and all ideas. He and other wildlife officials will present a summary of the public feedback to CPW’s agency board in November.

Hilde urged sportsmen to keep the comments coming and continue the discussion before Colorado’s hunting and fishing access is taken away.

“We need to, as a community, get off our butts and figure out how we can participate,” he said.

Ex-Colorado Fishing Guide, Jason Lesmeister, encourages folk to head north and try their luck at Alaska fishing.

We were able to find this recent press release about Jason’s company:

COOPER LANDING, AK / Many consider the Kenai River in Alaska the “Gold Standard” for fly-fishing for rainbow trout and for sockeye and silver salmon. The 2016 salmon season opens in July, and Jason’s Guide Service is now taking early reservations. Owner and Guide, Jason Lesmeister, has over twenty years’ experience guiding Alaskan fishing trips and has spent more than ten years as a Kenai River fishing guide. Jason’s Guide Service can provide all the gear needed to catch some of the hardest-fighting and most delicious fish in Alaska. While many fish make the run up the river to spawn, it requires the skill of a knowledgeable guide to find the perfect spot to catch them and to teach the correct techniques for success.

The Kenai River flows through 82 miles of South Central Alaska, starting at Kenai Lake and running through the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Skilak Lake into Cook Inlet and the Pacific Ocean near the towns of Sodoltna and Kenai. The Kenai River has a well-established reputation among world-class fishermen for rainbow trout, sockeye salmon, silver salmon, Dolly Varden char and more.

Fishermen love to fish for Kenai River rainbow trout because they bite readily and put up an aggressive fight. They are known for their massive size and plentiful numbers. Red (sockeye) salmon, silver (coho) salmon and other species of salmon migrate up the Kenai River at certain periods during the season. Check current information with sources such as Jason’s Guide Service. Ice fishing on the frozen lakes of the Kenai Peninsula for rainbow trout, lake trout, and Dolly Varden is growing more popular each year, and there are not many serious fishing guides who work ice fishing. Jason’s Guide Service will provide everything needed for “hard water” fishing.

Today I’m bank fishing a a good size pond with clear water and looking for spawning bass. As I am walking around the bank, I start to see bedding bass and spawning bass that are chasing off bluegill. I will show you how to fish for these largemouth bass in this situation and tips for catching these fish while bank fishing. I also talk about one of my favorite bass fishing techniques for when bass are spawning, but are not staying close to the beds. For these cruising largemouth bass, they can’t stand a soft plastic senko or other stick bait slowly sinking sinking in front of them.

ABOUT LFG
Justin Rackley, known as Lakeforkguy in the fishing world, creates fishing and outdoor videos on youtube and other social platforms. LFG provides fishing tips and techniques for mostly largemouth bass fisheries but also travels to other freshwater and saltwater fishing spots to explore new fish species and fishing techniques to show as many fishing places as possible and help you catch more fish. Lakeforkguy likes to hang out on any fishing vessel or go bank fishing with his other YouTube Fishing friends and vlog with his Wife Stephanie and french bulldog Winston.

Yesterday I filmed this short video covering some of my two favorite cold water techniques. The purpose of this is video is to show you some overlooked styles of fishing that can lead to success when the cold conditions role in. If you are reading this then you’re one of the first to know that this Thursday (10/12/15) I will be posting the 1v1 Jon B. vs. 1rod1reel challenge. That video is going to be on point so stay tuned and keep your eyes peeled!

If you have any winter fishing tactics questions or concerns drop me a line or shoot m an email at fishingthemidwest@gmail.com

In this episode of TylersReelFishing, I catch a BIG bass which makes for a great kayak fishing surprise! I catch TONS of bass on chatterbaits, and give you lots of chatterbait fishing tips, especially when it comes to fishing in the wind. If you enjoyed, please SUBSCRIBE to this channel so we can hit 100K Subscribers!

Winter Bass Fishing can be tough especially in Florida when the water gets cold. Here is a video full of tips and techniques that will help you catch a few this winter.
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AMAZING day of Winter Fishing!!! Exploring a creek I’ve never fished before, my patience was put to the test as the crystal clear creek was devoid of life the first mile of wading. Exhausted and cold in the 40 degree water, I kept grinding desperately trying to avoid my third skunk in a row. After two fishless hours, my efforts were rewarded and I managed to find the mother load of rainbow trout!!!

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These fishing tips will change how you catch fish from the bank. These hacks will help you locate and find fish whether they are bass, catfish or carp or any fish. Fishing from the shore can be awesome, if you know where to cast. If you want to learn how to catch bass, how to catch catfish, how to catch carp or how to catch fish from the bank this will help you catch more fish. These are great tips and tricks.

SLAYING bass on one of the BEST Winter baits!
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After having a successful fishing trip to the North East River the day before, I decided to return and hone my fishing skills with two KEY winter baits: the blade bait and the jig. Catching nothing on these baits yesterday was worrisome, considering they are two of the very best lures you can throw when it gets cold. After refining my technique and gear, I dialed into fish and absolutely SLAYED EM!!!

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Location: North East River in North East, Maryland
Date: December 6th, 2017
Primary Pattern: Yo-yoing a blade bait in 3-6 feet of water
Time Fished: 7:00 am – 11:00 am
Air Temp: Low of 40 degrees, high of 44 degrees
Water Temp: 48 degrees
Water Clarity: 15 – 20 inches
Conditions: Mostly cloudy with winds from the West up to 12 mph

Gear From e-callers to rifles to lights, here's the latest in coyote and predator equipment We tested all the gear on this list for taking coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and other predators during the winter season, and you can't go wrong with any of it.

Fishing Pristine backcountry and the promise of solitude lie within the BWCA, but its borders are home to historic mining communities, valuable mineral deposits, and a battleground for an old dispute: Who gets to benefit from the public’s natural resources? The BWCA is an ancient wilderness at risk due to proposed mining in its watershed.

Guns This rifle—designed by OL's shooting editor and built by the Remington Custom Shop—Is accurate to 1 mile and beyond Chambered in the new 300 PRC, this rifle—designed by OL's shooting editor and built by the Remington Custom Shop—Is accurate to 1 mile and beyond…

Guns The best caliber, barrel, stock, and optics for a gun that will hunt and do anything and everything There’s no such thing as a perfect rifle, but there is such a thing as an all-purpose rifle that’s capable of doing anything and everything you ask of it. It’s not hard…